Cost of Living: Tacoma, WA vs Lansing, MI (2026)

Tacoma

Washington
126
VS

Lansing

Michigan
58

Tacoma is 117% more expensive than Lansing.

$1,597/mo ↑ 64%
Median Rent
$976/mo ↓ 39%
$83,857/yr ↑ 61%
Median Income
$52,170/yr ↓ 38%
$454,600 ↑ 281%
Home Value
$119,400 ↓ 74%
$1,747/mo ↑ 79%
Owner Costs
$978/mo ↓ 44%
220,482
Population
112,546

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.25%
6.5%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.92%
Property Tax
1.38%

Affordability

22.9%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Tacoma, WA and Lansing, MI, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 58 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $621/month cheaper in Lansing, saving renters about $7,452/year.

Median household income is $31,687/year higher in Tacoma. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Tacoma is $454,600 compared to $119,400 in Lansing.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Tacoma residents a significant tax advantage over Michigan's 4.25% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tacoma vs Lansing — common questions

Is Tacoma or Lansing cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Lansing is cheaper to live in with an index of 58 compared to 126 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Tacoma and Lansing?
Median rent in Tacoma is $1,597/month and in Lansing it's $976/month — a difference of $621/month.
Which city has higher income, Tacoma or Lansing?
Median household income is $83,857 in Tacoma and $52,170 in Lansing. Median household income is $31,687/year higher in Tacoma.
How do taxes compare between Washington and Michigan?
Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax. Michigan has 4.25% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.38% property tax.
Should I move to Tacoma or Lansing?
It depends on your priorities. Tacoma has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,597/mo, while Lansing has a cost index of 58 with rent of $976/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Tacoma details → View Lansing details →

More Comparisons

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